Florida State focused by keeping an eye on the past

By Jason Shoot | News Herald Writer

Published: Friday, October 25, 2013 at 03:52 PM.

The Wolfpack (3-3, 0-3) were better equipped to challenge FSU a year ago. The Seminoles didn't miss a beat when they replaced EJ Manuel with Jameis Winston at quarterback. N.C. State, however, has not won a game against an opponent from a major conference since former quarterback Mike Glennon left for the NFL last spring. N.C. State ranks 91st in the nation in points per game (24.7).

Winston's Heisman campaign likely will press on, but the Wolfpack's defensive line has the potential to disrupt it. Defensive end Art Norman and tackle Monty Nelson have combined for 12 tackles for loss — Norman also has three sacks — and N.C. State is tied for 10th nationally with eight tackles for loss per game. FSU has allowed more than five such plays per game.

Fisher has impressed upon his players that they were not perfect against Clemson and have room for improvement. He noted that FSU settled for field goals three times in the red zone and was stopped short of the goal line on third-and-goal from Clemson’s 2.

Still, FSU has shown several signs of getting better as the season has progressed. Observers were critical of the Seminoles' sluggish starts in games earlier in the year. FSU scored a combined 48 points in the first half against Maryland and Clemson the past two games. The Seminole defense allowed a combined 560 yards and forced five total turnovers in those games.

TALLAHASSEE— Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher has the perfect solution for those tempted to look ahead at his team's schedule.

Try looking back.

FSU once again can envision its long-awaited return to the upper echelon of college football. The Seminoles, fresh off of their destruction of Clemson last week, are second in the Bowl Championship Series rankings and can visualize a trip to the national title game if they can finish the remainder of their schedule unbeaten.

FSU, of course, felt much the same way last year before it slumped through the second half of a soul-crushing 17-16 loss at North Carolina State. The Wolfpack will be upset-minded again today as the two teams square off in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at 2:30 p.m. CDT at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Taking a peek at the games looming on its schedule comes with the territory of a No. 2 ranking in the BCS. Undefeated rival Miami is visiting Tallahassee next week. A road game at Florida awaits the Seminoles on Nov. 30. FSU (6-0, 4-0 ACC) also is well-positioned to return to the ACC Championship Game in early December.

Fisher believes his players have learned that the other games on the schedule, matchups against the N.C. States, Wake Forests and Syracuses of the world, are just as important because the cost of losing is so severe.

“Remind them of last year, that pain you felt last year when you didn't finish the game and do the things, and they made the plays,” Fisher said this week. “Each game is a one-game season, and I think hopefully we've learned from that.”

The Wolfpack (3-3, 0-3) were better equipped to challenge FSU a year ago. The Seminoles didn't miss a beat when they replaced EJ Manuel with Jameis Winston at quarterback. N.C. State, however, has not won a game against an opponent from a major conference since former quarterback Mike Glennon left for the NFL last spring. N.C. State ranks 91st in the nation in points per game (24.7).

Winston's Heisman campaign likely will press on, but the Wolfpack's defensive line has the potential to disrupt it. Defensive end Art Norman and tackle Monty Nelson have combined for 12 tackles for loss — Norman also has three sacks — and N.C. State is tied for 10th nationally with eight tackles for loss per game. FSU has allowed more than five such plays per game.

Fisher has impressed upon his players that they were not perfect against Clemson and have room for improvement. He noted that FSU settled for field goals three times in the red zone and was stopped short of the goal line on third-and-goal from Clemson’s 2.

Still, FSU has shown several signs of getting better as the season has progressed. Observers were critical of the Seminoles' sluggish starts in games earlier in the year. FSU scored a combined 48 points in the first half against Maryland and Clemson the past two games. The Seminole defense allowed a combined 560 yards and forced five total turnovers in those games.